8 May 2013
Honda Accord, Stirred, Not Shaken
Open the door, slip into sumptuous luxury, feel the anticipation, start the engine and feel
the excitement take over. You soul stirs as your foot touches the accelerator.
The 2013 Honda Accord will leave you with this for the first, third, thirtieth, and three
thousandth time. It is no surprise the new Accord is now the best-selling car in America,
a country passionate about the open road and driver experience.
Mixing refinement, driving pleasure and an impressive array of passive and active safety
features, the Accord really is a driver’s car.
It starts with the 2.4-litre S and NT and builds with the 3.5-litre V6T, both the first step
in Honda’s Earth Dreams™ Technology, offering powertrain efficiency while providing
responsive power and fun for drivers.
Then the car gives you a ‘Helping Hand’. With features that make driving a breeze across
the range, such as blindspot and multi-view reversing cameras, front and rear parking
sensors, auto wipers and auto dimming headlights, the tedious parts of the driving
experience are taken care of. Then there are the safety features to help out when things
don’t quite go to plan, like Trailer Stability Assist, Vehicle Stability Assist and Hazard
Light Activation.
But it doesn’t stop there; the NT and the V6NT take it further with Advanced Driver
Assist System or ADAS to the tech fanatics. This extra Helping Hand adds Lane Keep
Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control and the Collision Mitigation Braking System. The features
are perfect for New Zealand’s open road driving conditions, and for mitigating driver
fatigue, a major cause of road accidents in this country.
The range showcases a great mix of advanced technologies, all working in accord and
demonstrating Honda’s role as a world leader in motor vehicle technology with an annual
R&D spend of more than $7 billion; the highest per unit of any car manufacturer.
Honda’s New Zealand Head of Marketing Graeme Meyer says the investment in
technology and commitment to R&D excellence can be seen in the 2013 Accord, Honda’s
flagship vehicle being launched in New Zealand this week.
“New Zealand drivers make a unique mix of demands on their cars. We need our
vehicles to carry the family, tow the boat or caravan, and drive just as well on
motorways as winding open or back country roads.
“In those circumstances, you want a car that’s safe, reliable and effortless to drive,
without paying a fortune and without sacrificing style.”
8 May 2013
“The 2013 Accord handles all of these things perfectly. You can turn up for your board
meetings looking sharp and modern” he says. “It’s a car of the future offering a perfect
solution for those wanting a prestige car without the prestige price.”
With a dash of class, a touch of style, a helping of technology and a host of safety
features, the driving experience of the new Honda Accord will have you feeling stirred
but not a hint shaken.
ENDS
For vehicle information contact:
Graeme Meyer
Head of Marketing
Honda New Zealand Ltd
P: (09) 262 5906 m: (027) 494 3165
E: Graeme.meyer@honda.co.nz
Background information
‘Helping Hand’ features include:
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Advanced Driver Assist System
o Lane Keep Assist; tracks your lane and makes small steering adjustments
to keep you in the centre
o Adaptive Cruise Control; monitors traffic and adjusts cruise control speed
to cars in front
o Collision Mitigation Braking System; if driver is not slowing sufficiently LED
warning is displayed on the dash; tightens seatbelt to alert driver and
braking is auto-applied. Allows driver to retain control and take evasive
action. Car does not come to a complete stop
LaneWatch Camera; turns on a camera showing your left hand blind spot when
you activate the left indicator
Trailer Stability Assist; will auto-stabilise the vehicle if a trailer starts to move and
control the car
LED headlights and auto-dimming; LED offers greater visibility and lights will
auto-dim for oncoming traffic or when you come up behind another vehicle
Hazard light activation (Emergency Stop Signal); if you brake hard, hazard lights
will flash to alert traffic at your rear
Touch screen GPS with additional steering wheel and centre console control; For
safe, ease of use
Rear camera with three-view option; Removes driver blind spots. Activated by
indicator or button press
Active Noise Cancellation; Designed to dramatically reduce low frequency noise in
the interior. The system operates whenever the car is running, regardless of
whether the audio system is on or off
Deflation Warning System; monitors tyre pressure and lets you know if you need
to check your tyres
8 May 2013
Additional features:
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Powered by Honda’s Earth Dreams™ Technology engine; offering powertrain
efficiency while providing responsive power and fun for drivers.
iMID; audio, visual, entertainment, information and media features
Bluetooth
V6 Variable Cylinder Management; the car shuts down three cylinders when they
are not required; allowing for great fuel economy
Auto transmission with Gear Logic Control; ensures car is not changing gear at
the wrong moment
Econ system for improved fuel economy; choose between economy or
performance and comfort, depending on driving conditions and requirements.
Adjusts air-conditioning, acceleration response and cruise control